Student working in field of strawberries

Collaborative Specialization in One Health

Nellissa Stalenhoef looks at heron in cage

Our world is faced with many complex health challenges in which human, animal and environmental health are intertwined.

The Collaborative Specialization in One Health prepares future leaders for the complex challenges at the confluence of human, animal, and environmental health, working across disciplinary boundaries, conducting multidisciplinary research, mobilizing knowledge, and informing policy. This specialization is ideal for students interested in complex health challenges, such as:

  • Climate change and environmental degradation 
  • Emerging infectious diseases 
  • Antimicrobial resistance 
  • Food safety and security
  • Health inequalities

Program Details

Doctoral and master’s (thesis or course work and major research paper) students wishing to undertake graduate studies with emphasis on One Health will be admitted by a participating department and will register in both the participating department and in the collaborative specialization.

Students must complete two required courses (ONEH*6000 and ONEH*6100/6200), as well as successfully conduct research and defend a thesis that applies a One Health approach. Additional requirements will be specific to each student’s primary program.

Participating Departments

  • Animal Biosciences (MSc, PhD)  
  • Biomedical Sciences (MSc, PhD)  
  • Clinical Studies (MSc)  
  • Computational Sciences (PhD) 
  • Computer Science (MSc, PhD)  
  • Engineering (MEng*, MASc, PhD)  
  • Environmental Sciences (MES*, MSc, PhD)  
  • Food Science (MSc, PhD)  
  • Family Relations and Applied Nutrition (MSc, PhD) 
  • Geography (MA, MSc, PhD)  
  • History (MA*, PhD)  
  • Human Health and Nutritional Sciences (MSc, PhD)  
  • Integrative Biology (MSc, PhD)  
  • Mathematics and Statistics (MSc, PhD)  
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology (MSc, PhD)  
  • Pathobiology (MSc, PhD)  
  • Political Science (MA*, PhD)  
  • Population Medicine (MSc, PhD)  
  • Philosophy (MA, PhD)  
  • Public Issues Anthropology (MA)  
  • Rural Planning and Development (MSc*)  

*Only thesis-based master’s programs or those with a Major Research Project are eligible. 

researcher working in lab hood

Admissions

Prospective students can apply at the time of their application to the University of Guelph. This process has two stages. First, prospective students need to apply to their primary program of interest and identify that they are also interested in the collaborative specialization as a focus. They must upload a signed Declaration of Commitment Form with their application. If the student is admitted to the primary program, the second stage is admission to the collaborative specialization.

Upon acceptance, all enrolled students will be required to submit a Letter of Intent briefly outlining their interest in One Health and explaining how their area of research will apply a One Health approach.

Current students can apply to collaborative specialization while in program, as long as they have sufficient time to complete all the requirements. To apply, students are required to submit a Letter of Intent briefly outlining their interest in One Health and explaining how their area of research will apply a One Health approach.

Contact Us

Dr. Katie Clow, Graduate Program Coordinator 
519-824-4120 ext 53944  
kclow@uoguelph.ca